What Christmas pressie would you suggest for...

[Hulababy]

...my SIL's (married to my BIL) mum. She is Australian (as is SIL) and is coming over to Uk for the Christmas period. She'll be spending Christmas Eve and Day with my PILs, and then coming to us (with everyone else) on Boxing Day. Obviously we would like to buy her a small present for under the tree, but really not sure what to get.

It has to be easy for her to get back home - so nothing big or heavy.

Any ideas?

How about a nive calendar with scenes of England? Not sure of your budget...

some bath smellys of some sort? (3 4 2 in boots?)

Probably around £10-£15.

Scarf and gloves ? It might be chillier than anticipated !

chocolate/alcohol she can eat/drink while she's over here?

Liz - she is going back about a week after Christmas, so will have already been in the cold for more time before.

Thought about food/drink, but because of Christmas I was unsure - they'll be so much eating and drinking happening over Christmas anyway. I know that they have lots of things planned for this time.

where in Oz is she from? i found a great website where you can adopt a vine from a melborne vineyard, just thinking ti might remind her of home plus she could go and visit and get cheap wine from the vineyard

From Sydney.

Sadly I don't think she has a great deal of money, so has to be a presnet that she can use withou it costing her more IYSWIM.

Great idea though - DH would love it if it was him!

I would go for the calendar idea, as it is lighter than a book of photography and you can get some truly beautiful calendars. Every time she looked at it she would be reminded of her visit. Or even a print (a small one but that might get squished on the way home.) I remember when my uncle came over on a visit years ago, by the time he was ready to go home his suitcase was so full we kids (told you it was years ago) had to sit on it to get it closed!

Or you could buy her something and budget in the cost of sending it by mail? That way she could appreciate the pressie without worrying about suitcase space.

How about a really good book to read on the long journey home?

What about getting something to remind her of your town. Not sure about protocol of saying where you are from on this site, but there are 'town' shops opposite the town hall and on ecclesall road where you could buy something made in '*' that she could use back home?

also got a website for fench wine adoption think these include free wine!! apporx £80 for a year but includes quite a bit of wine as i rememeber.

Another idea might be wine tasting, again know of a webiste can go hunting for you!! you i paid £40 (for two people) last year for my parents.

or proper cadburys chocolate, the stuff they sell is oz just aint the same!!

jamiesam - good idea I did think of getting something to do with England, but local might be good. Hmmm... Giving me ideas!

Lots of good ideas here, will bear lots in mind. Hopeing to get this pressie sorted this weekend.

One of those books that have photos of British / English stately homes or general areas - those photos taken from the air are good.

Get her a box of different kinds of tea from Fortnum&Mason. If you want to do a bit more, I think they also have a box with a mug/tea cup and teapot. You could also get her some good shortbread to go with it.